Ward Hadaway put renewable energy skills to work

Experts from Ward Hadaway advised JFS & Associates, the UK’s leading farm-scale anaerobic digestion biogas project developer, on an agreement to develop a renewable energy facility at Washfold Farm in Leyburn, North Yorkshire

Share

Law firm Ward Hadaway’s energy group has advised on a third farm-scale renewable energy project within the space of three weeks.

Experts from the Top 100 UK law firm advised JFS & Associates, the UK’s leading farm-scale anaerobic digestion biogas project developer, on an agreement to develop a renewable energy facility at Washfold Farm in Leyburn, North Yorkshire.

The transaction was completed just three weeks after Ward Hadaway advised JFS & Associates on two other joint venture agreements at farms in North Yorkshire.

The ventures see JFS link up with farmers and specialist City financiers to construct and operate renewable power generation facilities on local farms.

The projects enable farmers to use naturally-occurring materials, including farm waste, for the production of biogas in a contained anaerobic digestion process.

The biogas is subsequently converted into green electricity and heat for connection to the local distribution network.

As in other JFS projects, the latest project enables the owners of Washfold Farm to receive additional income from sales of renewable energy as part of the joint venture company, and to use the digestate by-product of the process as a bio-fertiliser.

Mark Whitehead, partner and head of the energy team at Ward Hadaway, said: “Our understanding of energy projects, and in particular the AD sector, allowed us to conclude the project within a very challenging timescale.

“Our relationship with JFS, coupled with the expertise and experience of our team, ensured that documents could be negotiated and concluded efficiently.

“This latest project further expands the JFS & Associates’ portfolio of generation assets, having completed five projects since the start of 2013 alone.

“It also supports Iona Capitalin their funding of specialistanaerobic digestion projects in the UK.”

Matthew Flint, director at JFS & Associates, said: “This is a terrific way to round off what has been a fulfilling and productive 12 months for us.

“It was a pleasure working with Mark and the team at Ward Hadaway again on this project.”